Benefit Information | Federal

Student Responsibilities    

In accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations, students receiving VA educational benefits are required to conform to the rules and regulations of the training facility and maintain satisfactory conduct and progress.

1. Students must submit a benefit certification for each semester in which they want to receive funding.
2. Students must submit official copies of all transcripts to the Office of Admissions, including a copy of a DD-214, DD-295, and military transcripts.
3. VA educational benefits are only paid for courses that reduce the number of units required for your approved academic plan. 
4. All undergraduate degree programs are documented in the Chico State portal as a Degree Progress Report (DPR).
5. Master's, Teaching Credential, and 2nd Bachelor's degree programs do not have a DPR. Contact your department and request a written, signed, copy of your approved program plan.

Payments

1. The VA pays for the certified periods of enrollment at specific rates. Payments are issued monthly, in arrears, after a month of enrollment is complete.
2. VA educational benefits are not taxable and should not be reported as earned income.
3. Monthly payments are for the exact number of days a student is enrolled. Therefor, if a semester starts on the 18th, payment will be that date through the end of the month.

Summer | Winter | Rate Calculation

Summer and Winter Intersession are a non-standard term and the training rate is calculated by using the following formula:

Credit * 18 / Weeks = Credit Hour Equivalent

ex., 4 units earned in 4 weeks is the equivalent of 18 units earned during a standard semester. (4*18) / 4 = 18 

Concurrent Enrollment | Parent School Letter

Students may take courses at another institution that satisfy requirements for programs at Chico State. The institution that issues the degree is the parent school. The parent school issues a letter to the guest school. The guest school will certify the students enrollment with the parent school letter. The student is responsible for notifying all schools involved.

Parent school letters are requested by emailing VETS the following information: 

1. Guest school's information (name, address, and email)
2. Course information (number, title, total units, and term)

 Extending Benefits

1. Veterans that start a semester with at least one day of benefits remaining, will receive payment for the entire enrollment period. 
2. Students may elect to receive benefits at a rate that is less than the actual enrollment to preserve monthly entitlement. 

Grades

The VA allows payment for grading options that affect grade point average (GPA). All  non-punitive grades such as Audit (AU), No Credit (NC), and Withdrawal (W) are not payable.

VA Work-Study 

All students receiving VA educational benefits and certified for at least 9 units (3/4 time) are eligible to participate in the VA Work-Study program. Students may work up to 25 hours a week and up to 425 hours per semester. The compensation is based upon the current minimum wage rate (Federal or State, whichever is higher). VA Work-Study is a non-taxable benefit that is not reported as earned income. Contact VETS to apply.